Timothy R. Van Doren

Bayfield resident Timothy R. Van Doren died from brain cancer on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, at his home. He was 64.

Known as “Tim,” he was born to Donald and Helen Van Doren on Aug. 2, 1948, in Van Nuys, Calif. He grew up in Van Nuys and graduated from high school there.

Mr. Van Doren worked for General Motors before serving in Vietnam, where he was in the Army Infantry and walked point for his squad.

After his military service, he returned to General Motors, retiring after 32 years. Mr. Van Doren was a welder who worked most of his career in California before moving to Oklahoma City for his final working years.

The Van Dorens moved to their mountain home in 1998, where Mr. Van Doren worked on motorcycles, engines or just about anything, his wife said.

He married Dawn Barrett in Durango in 1998.

“Tim was a great man who cared about everybody,” his wife said. “He never had a bad word for any person, place or thing – although he always said he hated Guam. He loved his stuff.”

Mr. Van Doren is survived by his wife of 14 years, Dawn Barrett, of Bayfield; brother, Mike Van Doren, of Port Angeles, Wash.; sister, Donna Luckey, of Walls, Miss.; and numerous nieces and nephews in California.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at The Lost Dog Bar and Lounge, 1150 Main Ave., in Durango. The family asks friends to bring stories and pictures.